Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Welsh Government's written statement entitled Agreement to consult on devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales, published on 11 February 2026, when the consultation on the devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales will be launched.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
To avoid the pre-election period, the public consultation will be launched at an appropriate point after the formation of the next Welsh administration.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement for NHS England published on on 12 February 2026 will lead to additional funding for the Welsh Government through the Barnett Formula.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Department for Health and Social Care received funding to deliver the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement at Spending Review 2025, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue has been raised through the domestic VAT charge on heating oil and liquid petroleum gas since the outbreak conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran on 28 February 2026.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on heating oil and liquid petroleum gas.
This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.
VAT is chargeable at the reduced rate of 5% on domestic fuel and power.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including household Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) data in the methodology used to allocate support funding to each UK nation for heating oil and LPG‑heated properties announced on 16 March 2026.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government has acted quickly to provide timely, targeted support to those households struggling with the rising price of heating oil.
In England, Crisis Payments can be provided by local authorities to support the purchase of any form of fuel that is used for domestic heating, cooking or lighting.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is for the relevant devolved government to deliver support as they see fit.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consultations were had with the (a) fuel distribution industry and the (b) Welsh government on the development of the support package for households in Wales using heating oil and Liquid Petroleum gas as heating methods announced on 16 March 2026.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government has acted quickly to provide timely, targeted support for those households struggling with the rising price of heating oil.
Officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have coordinated closely with industry since the conflict in the Middle East began, and continue to do so.
I have discussed this support with all devolved government Finance Ministers. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is for the relevant devolved government to deliver support as they see fit.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of further income tax power devolution to Wales following her announcement on 17 March 2026 to pursue devolution of income tax powers in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor announced on 17th March that she will set out a roadmap at Budget for giving English regional leaders a share of some national taxes. This will include looking at income tax, alongside other taxes. It is not about new taxes or higher tax rates.
The Welsh Senedd already has significant income tax powers. This was the product of a lengthy process of debate and development, including the Silk Commission’s first report, the Wales Act 2014, and the Wales Act 2017. Consideration of any further income tax devolution would be a matter for discussion between the Welsh and UK Governments and be subject to consensus in Wales and the agreement of both the UK Parliament and the Senedd.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the adequacy of current levels of available crisis support funding delivered through Welsh Local Authorities to assist off-grid households with the cost of purchasing heating oil.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.
HMT officials and Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts in the Welsh Government.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she made of the potential impact of the recent rise in the cost of domestic heating oil on levels of fuel poverty in Wales.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.
This funding has been allocated based on census data, and the Welsh Government will receive £3.8 million.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to support off-grid households in Wales with the changing costs of domestic heating oil.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The government recognises the pressures facing households who rely on heating oil. This is why we are providing an additional £53 million of targeted support for vulnerable households, largely in rural communities.
This funding has been allocated based on census data, and the Welsh Government will receive £3.8 million.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how will property subject to tenancies agreed under (a) the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and (b) the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 be valued for the purposes of calculating an estate's inheritance tax liability.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The reforms to reliefs for agricultural and business property do not affect the existing rules on how assets are valued. The general rule for inheritance tax is that assets are valued at their ‘open market value’ at the date of death. If a property is subject to an agricultural tenancy, the open market value will reflect that fact. The value of the freehold interest subject to the tenancy may therefore be less than the vacant possession value. The valuation will consider factors including the type of agricultural tenancy, term length or security of tenure, property specific factors and the rent payable.